Elegant Mid-century Living | Kimball Starr

Modern light-filled home is designed with a relaxed elegance that revolves around family comfort with a stylish flair. Unique sculptural and art elements inspired by nature echo the family's love for the outdoors, while the select vintage pieces and ethnic prints bring visual warmth and personality to the home

Portfolio

Shilton Photography

Mid-sized eclectic dining room in Hertfordshire with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround and beige floor.

Waterfront French Eclectic

VanderHorn Architects

Hand-hewn timber “bents” or trusses iconic in provincial French barns establish the great room in concert with purlins, common rafters, dormers, oak ceilings, and stucco-infill walls of the post-and-beam architecture. Ample space for seating or dining is surrounded by French doors and casement windows enjoying wide views of the landscape. Woodruff Brown Photography

Governor's House

Lisa Tharp Design

Governor's House Dining Room by Lisa Tharp. 2019 Bulfinch Award - Interior Design. Photo by Michael J. Lee
This is an example of a transitional separate dining room with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Eclectic with a Mid-Century Modern Flair

You-Neek Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic dining room in Other with multi-coloured walls, cork floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Sarasota Town Home/ Condo Remodel

Imagine Design and Remodel

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Tampa with grey walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Armstrong

Fissel Floor Covering

Mid-sized country open plan dining in Other with beige walls, slate floors, a ribbon fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Pembridge Crescent, Notting Hill, London, W11

Domus Nova

Naturally, many of the pieces were sourced from Portobello Road. “I love 1970s lighting, and so I spent hours on the Portobello Road sourcing original lights,” says the owner. “I also made the large mirror using an old picture frame from one of the local shops, spraying it and getting a mirror put in. Similarly with the glass cabinet – it was a cheap purchase which I sprayed entirely black aside from the back which was painted purple. I also inserted a blue light into it, and now it’s my favourite piece". The EXIT sign is from Islington – perfect for when guests overstay their welcome.

Transitional Dining Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Diego with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and beige floor.

©Anna StathakiHouse for Born and Bred Studio

Anna Stathaki | Photography

©Anna Stathaki
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian kitchen/dining combo in London with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Laguna Beach Cottage

Brian Lewotsky Company Inc.

This is an example of a beach style dining room in Orange County with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Fireplaces

Tileco

Clean and contemporary fireplace
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Santa Barbara with light hardwood floors, a tile fireplace surround, grey walls and a standard fireplace.

Dining Room

Karp Associates Inc.

Design ideas for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and a concrete fireplace surround.

Silver Falls Court

J Wiley Designs

This is an example of a large transitional kitchen/dining combo in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Armstrong - Engineered Stone

Carpet One Floor & Home

Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Boston with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor and vinyl floors.

Mountain Star, CO

Meadow Mountain Homes

Kimberly Gavin Photography
Large country kitchen/dining combo in Denver with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Fairview Transitional Custom Home

Traci Connell Interiors

This living/dining room combined is open and airy to the sliding glass doors leading to the covered patio. A great place to entertain, yet relax and enjoy the beauty.

Armstrong - Stones & Naturals

The Floor Store

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in San Francisco with beige walls, travertine floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

HISTORIC HYDE PARK RENOVATION

Debra Ackerbloom, Inc.

Formal Dining Room with new custom built in cabinetry that incorporated the original leaded glass inserts. New Hardwood flooring replicating the perimeter inlay design of the original. The Fireplace was stripped and redressed with new custom mantle, marble surround and hearth.

Greenwich Project

Looks Lovely Limited

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in London with blue walls, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

All Fireplace Surrounds Dining Room Design Ideas

A dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!